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Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. Examine eyes and visual system, diagnose problems or impairments, prescribe corrective lenses, and provide treatment. May prescribe therapeutic drugs to treat specific eye conditions.
Decision-making skills. Optometrists must evaluate the results of diagnostic tests and decide on the best course of treatment for a patient.
Communication skills. Optometrists must explain diagnosis, treatment, and eye care in a way that patients can understand.
Compassion. Optometrists treat a variety of patients, including those who are frustrated by visual problems. They must be understanding of and sympathetic to their patients’ concerns.
Detail oriented. Optometrists must take care to provide appropriate treatment, including accurate prescriptions. They also must monitor and record specific information related to patient care.
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Characteristics of this Career |
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99% | Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. | |
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97% | Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. | |
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94% | Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. | |
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91% | Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical. | |
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88% | Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. | |
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80% | Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. | |
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77% | Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. | |
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76% | Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. | |
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76% | Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job. | |
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76% | Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. | |
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75% | Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. | |
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73% | Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. | |
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73% | Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. | |
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72% | Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. | |
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70% | Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Strengths |
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83% | Investigative - Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service. | |
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72% | Social - Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities. | |
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67% | Realistic - Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Values of the Work Environment |
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86% | Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. | |
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83% | Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. | |
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83% | Recognition - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status. | |
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83% | Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. | |
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78% | Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. | |
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61% | Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality |
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78% | Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. | |
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78% | Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem. | |
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75% | Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. | |
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75% | Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. | |
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75% | Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). | |
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75% | Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. | |
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75% | Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). | |
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72% | Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). | |
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72% | Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. | |
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72% | Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material. | |
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69% | Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways. | |
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69% | Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. | |
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69% | Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. | |
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66% | Finger Dexterity - The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Skills | Cognitive, Physical, Personality |
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70% | Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent |
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100% | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? | |
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100% | Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? | |
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98% | Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job? | |
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94% | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? | |
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94% | Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? | |
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93% | Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? | |
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90% | Physical Proximity - To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people? | |
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89% | Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization? | |
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86% | Letters and Memos - How often does the job require written letters and memos? | |
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86% | Deal With External Customers - How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job? | |
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85% | Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? | |
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84% | Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls? | |
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83% | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer? | |
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83% | Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? | |
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80% | Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? | |
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76% | Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? | |
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75% | Exposed to Disease or Infections - How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections? | |
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74% | Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job? | |
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71% | Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job? | |
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70% | Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job? | |
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68% | Spend Time Sitting - How much does this job require sitting? | |
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66% | Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions - How much does this job require making repetitive motions? |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Tasks & Values |
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95% | Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients. | |
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95% | Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. | |
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95% | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. | |
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93% | Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. | |
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92% | Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. | |
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89% | Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests. | |
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89% | Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. | |
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88% | Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. | |
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86% | Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. | |
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82% | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. | |
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81% | Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. | |
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77% | Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. | |
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77% | Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. | |
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76% | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. | |
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73% | Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. | |
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73% | Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. | |
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71% | Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork. | |
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68% | Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity. | |
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68% | Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. | |
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68% | Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks. | |
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68% | Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members. | |
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68% | Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance. | |
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67% | Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. | |
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66% | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
Optometrists diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system, including examining eyes and prescribing corrective lenses.
Optometrists typically do the following:
Optometrists are doctors who focus on eyes and vision. Their tasks range from offering preventive care through routine checkups to providing referrals to other specialists for treatment of health conditions, such as autoimmune diseases, that may lead to serious eye problems.
Some optometrists provide specialized care in addition to general eye care. For example, some optometrists focus on treating patients who have partial sight, a condition known as low vision. Others may specialize in treating a certain population, such as infants and children.
Optometrists promote eye health by counseling patients on how general health can affect eyesight. For example, they may counsel patients on how quitting smoking lowers the risk of developing cataracts.
All states allow optometrists to prescribe medication, but states vary in the type of medication they allow optometrists to prescribe. States also vary in whether optometrists may perform surgery or other procedures, such as providing vaccinations.
Optometrists should not be confused with ophthalmologists or opticians. Ophthalmologists are physicians who, like optometrists, treat eye diseases, perform eye exams, and prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses. However, ophthalmologists perform a wider range of surgeries than optometrists do. For more information about ophthalmologists, see the physicians and surgeons profile. Opticians fit and adjust eyeglasses and, in some states, fill contact lens prescriptions that an optometrist or ophthalmologist has written. For more information, see the opticians profile.
Optometrists held about 43,400 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of optometrists were as follows:
| Offices of optometrists | 56% |
| Offices of physicians | 17 |
| Self-employed workers | 7 |
| Outpatient care centers | 4 |
Optometrists typically work in office settings. This includes offices of optometry and offices of physicians. They also may work in retail settings, such as stores that sell eyeglasses.
Most optometrists work full time, but part-time work is common. Schedules may vary to include evenings and weekends.
Optometrists typically need a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree. O.D. programs take 4 years to complete, and applicants typically have bachelor’s degree before entering a program. Every state requires optometrist to be licensed.
Optometrists typically need a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education. Applicants to these graduate programs must have completed at least 3 years of undergraduate education. However, applicants to O.D. programs typically have a bachelor’s degree in a field such as biology or physical science. Programs that do not require a specific field of degree for admissions might require that applicants have completed courses in subjects such as chemistry, physics, and calculus.
Applicants to O.D. programs also must take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), which covers four subject areas: natural sciences, reading comprehension, physics, and quantitative reasoning.
O.D. programs take 4 years to complete. They include both academic coursework and supervised clinical experience. Coursework includes anatomy, visual science, and the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the visual system. During clinical training, students gain experience treating patients in a variety of settings, such as hospitals and private practice.
After finishing an O.D. degree, optometrists may choose to get 1 year of advanced clinical training in the area in which they wish to specialize. Areas of specialization include primary care, cornea and contact lenses, and ocular disease.
All states require optometrists to be licensed. Prospective optometrist must have an O.D. degree from an accredited optometry school and must complete all sections of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry exam. Some states require candidates to pass an additional exam, such as on clinical skills or on laws relating to optometry.
All states require optometrists to take continuing education classes and to renew their license periodically. For more information, contact the licensing board for the state in which you plan to practice.
Optometrists may obtain an optional credential to become board certified by the American Board of Optometry. This certification requires passing an examination.
Employment of optometrists is projected to grow 9 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 1,700 openings for optometrists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Because vision problems tend to occur more frequently later in life, an aging population will lead to demand for optometrists. As people age, they become more susceptible to developing diseases that impair vision, such as cataracts and macular degeneration, and will need vision care.
The increasing prevalence of refractive errors, particularly myopia, among the general population is another key source of demand for optometrists as they will be needed to diagnose and treat these common eye problems. Moreover, the growing use of electronic devices has translated into an increasing number of individuals experiencing digital eye strain, which may lead to more demand for eye care services. Meanwhile, diabetes has been linked to increased rates of diabetic retinopathy, a condition that affects the blood vessels in the eye and may lead to loss of vision. With diabetes on the rise, optometrists will be needed to monitor, treat, and refer these patients.
For more information about optometry, visit
American Optometric Association
For more information about optometrists, including a list of accredited optometric programs, visit
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry
For information on specific admission requirements and sources of financial aid, contact the admissions officers of individual optometry schools.
For more information about the national board exam, visit
National Boards of Examiners in Optometry
For more information about board certification, visit
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of optometrists.
| Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Chiropractors |
Chiropractors evaluate and treat patients' neuromusculoskeletal system, which includes nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. |
Doctoral or professional degree | $75,380 |
|
Dentists |
Dentists diagnose and treat problems with patients’ teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth. |
Doctoral or professional degree | $159,530 |
|
Opticians |
Opticians help fit eyeglasses and contact lenses, following prescriptions from ophthalmologists and optometrists. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $39,610 |
|
Physicians and Surgeons |
Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses and address health maintenance. |
Doctoral or professional degree | $229,300 |
|
Podiatrists |
Podiatrists provide medical and surgical care for people with foot, ankle, and lower leg problems. |
Doctoral or professional degree | $148,720 |
|
Veterinarians |
Veterinarians care for the health of animals and work to protect public health. |
Doctoral or professional degree | $103,260 |
|
Audiologists |
Audiologists diagnose, manage, and treat patients who have hearing, balance, or related problems. |
Doctoral or professional degree | $82,680 |
|
Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technicians |
Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians make or repair dentures, eyeglasses, prosthetics, and related products. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $41,180 |